Many of the posters write a lot of common sense, BUT I tried everything in the book to alleviate/eliminate numbness in the hands, pains in the shoulders (due to osteo-arthritis), saddle numbness, etc. Nothing worked for me, and I reluctantly gave up cycling completely. A desire to return though still niggled and I eventually purchased a recumbent. It was the answer to my pain problems, but proved difficult in my hilly area. My next purchase was a 'bent trike, and that is a winner on all counts.
I reached the conclusion that my body had had enough of conventional bikes and their riding positions. Nothing can make a DF comfortable for me, only slightly less painful and uncomfortable, and it may be so for you too. Good luck in your quest to find a way of making your bike ridable.